Holding devices for ribbon-type can-opening keys



Jan. 17, 1956 G. COPLEN 2,730,729

HOLDING DEVICES FOR RIBBON-TYPE CAN-OPENING KEYS Filed Jan. 5, 1955 Fig.5

INVENTOR. 650%: 60am BY M %TTORIYEY United States Patent HOLDING DEVICESFOR RIBBON-TYPE CAN-OPENING KEYS George Coplen, Cripple Creek, Colo.

Application January 3, 1955, Serial No. 479,612;

1 (Zlaim. (Cl. 7-l) This invention relates to a device for facilitatingthe opening of cans of the type having a metal ribbon adapted to bewound about a winding key. The principal object of the invention is toprovide a simple, neat, inexpensive device which can be used forsupporting the winding key of a ribbon type can in accurate alignmentwith the path of severance of the ribbon so as to prevent accidentaltearing off of the ribbon before the can is fully opened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winding key support forcans of this type which will be adaptable to any ribbon type can, andwhich will facilitate loosening the starting end of the ribbon from thecan so that it may be readily inserted in the winding key.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of theinvention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efi'iciency.These will become more ap parent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is badto the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numeralsrefer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout thedescription.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top view of the improved Winding key holding device,illustrating it substantially full size and in the closed position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, illustrating the device in the open position;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, illustrating the improved winding keyholding device as it would appear in use.

In Fig. 4 a typical can of the ribbon opening type is indicated at withits lid at 11, lid bead at 21, and ribbon winding key at 12. Cans ofthis type are opened by winding a relatively narrow metallic ribbon 13from between the can 10 and the lid 11 about the winding key 12, the keybeing provided with a slot 20 for receiving the extremity of the ribbon.

This invention is designed to support the winding key 12 and maintain itaccurately at right angles to the path of the winding ribbon 13 so as toprevent accidental tearing of the ribbon and misalignment of the ribboncoil upon the key.

The device comprises two relatively flat, arcuately bent leg members 14and 15 which curve downwardly and diminish in thickness toward theirrear extremities so as to terminate in relatively sharp edges 19. Eachleg member is formed with a sidewardly projecting foot portion 16 at itsrear extremity. The two foot portions project oppositely outward inalignment with each other. The forward extremities of the two legmembers are hinged together in overlapping relation upon a suitablehinge rivet 17. The two leg members are mortised where they overlap soas to fit into each other to preserve the uniform thickness of thedevice. Each leg contains a semi-circle lar notch 18 adjacent the hingerivet 17. When the legs 2,730,729 Patented Jan. 17, 1956 are in theclosed position of Fig. 1, the notches 18 cooperate to form acylindrical key-receiving opening.

The curvature of the leg members 14 and 15 is such as to place the rearedges 19 thereof below the plane of the lower surfaces of the legs adistance substantially equal to the height of the lid head 21.

In use, the relatively sharp rear edges 19 are inserted beneath the freeextremity of the ribbon 13 to pry it outwardly from the can so that theslot 20 of the key 12 can be readily slipped over the projectingextremity of the ribbon and the key is given suflicient turns to lock itto the projecting ribbon extremity.

The two leg members 14 and 15 are separated, slipped about the key andclosed to the position of Fig. 1 so that the shaft of the key 12 will berotatably contained within the key opening formed by the cooperatingnotches 18. The device is now rested on the top of the can lid and heldlightly closed with one hand while the key is rotated with the otherhand. As the key travels around the can, the relatively wide base of thedevice, formed by the projecting foot portions 16, will rest upon thecan top to accurately maintain the key at right angles to its intendedpath so that a perfect separation will be had between the can 10 and itslid 11.

After the ribbon has been fully separated from the can, it is onlynecessary to separate the two legs 14 and 15 and allow the key, with itswound ribbon, to drop therefrom.

The device may be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic ordie-casting metal. It should, however, be of some corrosion-resistantmetal so that it will resist moisture, tarnish, etc.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described andillustrated herein, it is to be understood that the same may be varied,within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired securedby Letters Patent is:

A device for supporting a winding key on a ribbonsealed container of thetype having a raised bead surrounding a circular lid, comprising: twoleg members; means hinging said leg members together adjacent oneextremity thereof; cooperating notches formed in said leg membersadapted, when the latter are pressed together, to form a guide openingfor receiving the shaft of a winding key, said leg members beingarcuately formed so that when their first extremities adjacent the hingemeans are rested upon the raised bead of the can, their secondextremities, distant from the hinge means, will lie on the lid of thecan to maintain the first extremities horizontal with the axis of theguide opening parallel to the vertical axis of the can; an outwardlyprojecting foot portion formed on the second extremity of each legmember and adapted to rest upon the lid of said can to resist lateraltilting of the leg members, said leg members diminishing in verticalthickness as said second extremities are approached; and a relativelysharp, horizontal terminal edge extending across the second extremitiesof the leg members and across said foot portions so as to lie upon saidlid and adapted for use in separating the projecting extremity of a canribbon from a can.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 69,563Herde Oct. 8, 1867 546,361 Taekaberry Sept. 17, 1895 838,706 Fuller Dec.18, 1906 993,128 Uhrnell May 23, 1911 1,456,928 Lake, Ir. May 29, 1923

